Judit Oláh

AtfA bZIP-type transcription factor regulates oxidative and osmotic stress responses in Aspergillus nidulans

The aim of the study was to demonstrate that the bZIP-type transcription factor AtfA regulates different types of stress responses in Aspergillus nidulans similarly to Atf1, the orthologous ‘all-purpose’ transcription factor of Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Heterologous expression of atfA in a S. pombe Δatf1 mutant restored the osmotic stress tolerance of fission yeast in surface cultures to the same level as recorded in complementation studies with the atf1 gene, and a partial complementation of the osmotic and oxidative-stress-sensitive phenotypes was also achieved in submerged cultures. AtfA is therefore a true functional ortholog of fission yeast’s Atf1. As demonstrated by RT-PCR experiments, elements of both oxidative (e.g. catalase B) and osmotic (e.g. glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase B) stress defense systems were transcriptionally regulated by AtfA in a stress-type-specific manner. Deletion of atfA resulted in oxidative-stress-sensitive phenotypes while the high-osmolarity stress sensitivity of the fungus was not affected significantly. In A. nidulans, the glutathione/glutathione disulfide redox status of the cells as well as apoptotic cell death and autolysis seemed to be controlled by regulatory elements other than AtfA. In conclusion, the orchestrations of stress responses in the aspergilli and in fission yeast share several common features, but further studies are needed to answer the important question of whether a fission yeast-like core environmental stress response also operates in the euascomycete genus Aspergillus.

Protein phosphatase Z modulates oxidative stress response in fungi

The genome of the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans harbors the gene ppzA that codes for the catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase Z (PPZ), and the closely related opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus encompasses a highly similar PPZ gene (phzA). When PpzA and PhzA were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae or Schizosaccharomyces pombe they partially complemented the deleted phosphatases in the ppz1 or the pzh1 mutants, and they also mimicked the effect of Ppz1 overexpression in slt2 MAP kinase deficient S. cerevisiae cells. Although ppzA acted as the functional equivalent of the known PPZ enzymes its disruption in A. nidulans did not result in the expected phenotypes since it failed to affect salt tolerance or cell wall integrity. However, the inactivation of ppzA resulted in increased sensitivity to oxidizing agents like tert-butylhydroperoxide, menadione, and diamide. To demonstrate the general validity of our observations we showed that the deletion of the orthologous PPZ genes in other model organisms, such as S. cerevisiae (PPZ1) or Candida albicans (CaPPZ1) also caused oxidative stress sensitivity. Thus, our work reveals a novel function of the PPZ enzyme in A. nidulans that is conserved in very distantly related fungi.

The effect of acquisition moves on income, pre-tax profits and future strategy of logistics firms

Our research deals with a comprehensive study of the management success factors of logistics service providers using a new approach, and examines the life of logistics service companies. The data were collected from 51 logistics service providers in Hungary. We searched for the proper enterprise scale – acquisitions – strategies (including the method of looking for the economies of scale in the LSP segment to be examined, and the role of strategy choice). Our research has found that among logistics companies those firms which followed the growth pattern has significantly higher sales revenue than the companies growing organically. Additionally, logistics companies – considering their pre-tax profits work more efficiently when they have a growth strategy (regardless of its time lag). However, this claim is true only for those companies that did not have any (revenue) growth over the previous Received: May, 2017 1st Revision: August, 2017 Accepted: November, 2017 DOI: 10.14254/20718330.2017/10-4/18 Journal of International Studies S ci en ti fi c P a pe rs

Potential Connections of Unique Manufacturing and Industry 4.0

Background: Based on the concept of Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution, production processes are optimised by machines connected to each other via intelligent communication systems (machines keep track of the process and adjust their own settings accordingly). Our objective was to achieve more reliable processes with shorter production times and, consequently, lower production costs. Methods: We examined the possibility of incorporating a robot into the panel cutting subprocess of the unique furniture manufacturing process of a timber company. Results: Currently, using robots in industrial practice is economical only in the case of mass production. Using robots in unique manufacturing calls for higher resource need. In order to examine which part of the furniture manufacturing process a robot can be incorporated into and what problems can be solved with the robotic arm, the first step is to look for any potential failures in the process, as well as causes of failure, by performing a process model-based Failure Mode and Effects Analysis. Following the exploration of potential causes of failure, we examined the possibility of involving a robotic arm as a measure of improvement. Accordingly, the robotic arm was programmed in a computerised environment. The parameters of the robotic arm were set using the software Mitsubishi RV-2AJ Cosimir Educational. As a next step, process simulation was used to examine the total production time and cost of the process with using the robotic arm. Conclusions: The implementation of robots is a relevant option in unique production systems, as an intelligent system is capable of identifying problems even at the origin of failures and therefore it allows to avoid delay and increase the precision of operation.

Information technology developments of logistics service providers in Hungary

ABSTRACT The objective of this research is to examine the role of sector-specific information technology (IT) developments and their significance in terms of the revenue and earnings before tax of Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), as well as the impact of these developments on the flexibility and integration of LSPs. A survey questionnaire was conducted with 284 LSPs participants. The data provided by the 51 responding enterprises provided a representative sample for the analysis of the sample population and the drawing of general and relevant conclusions related to basic population. It can be concluded that their revenue, earnings before tax and degree of integration into the supply chain depend on the sector-specific IT developments carried out by the given enterprise. IT investments will remain important in the future and the introduction and leveraging the best technologies may yield competitive advantages and higher financial rewards for LSPs.

Migráció megítélése a felsőoktatásban részt vevő hallgatók véleménye alapján

A szerzők kutatasi celkitűzese, hogy megvizsgaljak a napjainkban megfigyelhető nagyaranyu nepessegvandorlassal kapcsolatos esemenyeket, azok kivalto okat es prediktiv hatasat a felsőoktatasban tanulo egyetemi hallgatok, doktoranduszok altal felallitott es kepviselt attitűdjein keresztul. A megkerdezettek csoportjat, azaz a mintat, 425 fő a magyar felsőoktatasi intezmenyekben nappali tagozatos alapszakon, mesterszakon es doktori kepzesben reszt vevő hallgato kepezte. A megkerdezett mintan belul faktoranalizis segitsegevel kimutathato volt, hogy minel magasabb szintű kepzesen tanulnak az egyes hallgatok, azaz minel magasabb a legnagyobb iskolai vegzettseguk, annal nagyobb lesz korukben azok szama, akik toleransan viselkednek a migracios jelenseggel kapcsolatban. Meglepő lehet, hogy a nemzetkozi elettapasztalattal is rendelkező valaszadok kevesbe befogadoak a hasonlo tapasztalatokkal nem rendelkező tarsaikhoz kepest. Azt is megallapitottak, hogy a valaszadok munkatapasztalata jelentősen befolyasolja a befogado attitűd megletet vagy hianyat. A sikeres munkaerő-piaci integracio egyik kulcsa a megfelelő iskolai vegzettseg. A valaszadok is jelentőseget tulajdonitanak a migransok legnagyobb iskolai vegzettsegenek. A masik fontos szempont ugyanakkor a nyelvismeret: altalanos velekedes, hogy legalabb tarsalgasi szintű magyar nyelvismeret hianyaban aligha erhetnek el munkavallaloi sikereket a migransok. Mindez azert is erdemel kiemelest, mert a migracio tarsadalmi megiteleset befolyasolja a valaszadok gazdasagi helyzete: a jobb korulmenyek kozott elő valaszadok kevesbe latjak veszelyesnek a migraciot, mint a rosszabb gazdasagi helyzetben elő tarsaik. Vegzetul a migracio mediareprezentaciojaval kapcsolatban egyertelműen megallapithato, hogy a migracio belfoldi megiteleseben a hazai media szerepe kiemelt jelentősegű.

Transition management applications to accelerate sustainable food consumption – comparative analysis between Switzerland and Hungary

The aim of this paper is to present the transition towards sustainability and its characteristics in consumer systems of different levels. The relevance of the topic comes from the many development paths and innovation programmes which are initially recognized as sustainable in former socialist countries but which eventually all turn out to be unsuccessful. This study introduces the research which compares the sustainable consumer attitudes of the “50+” population in Switzerland and Hungary. The former is one of the most advanced consumer communities in Europe and the latter is a post-communist economy in transition. The representative sample, which contained over 1000 questionnaires and complementary personal interviews, clearly indicated the difference between the two groups of consumers. While among Swiss population marketing tools and social discussions to promote sustainable and Received: March, 2018 1st Revision: April, 2018 Accepted: August, 2018 DOI: 10.14254/20718330.2018/11-3/3 Journal of International Studies S ci en ti fi c P a pe rs

The GM-regulation game – the case of Hungary

Hungary, this small and open economy with limited natural resources, tries to build its future on creativity and innovation. At the same time, the country has declared in its basic law a categorical prohibition on the application of genetically modified organisms. The aim of this study is to explain the causes of this obvious contradiction. The collection of expert estimations regarding the relative positions and attitudes of different actors has been carried out in the form of face-to-face interviews with 67 stakeholders in the agri-food sector, following a strictly neutral approach, not taking into consideration whether the respondents have taken positions for or against the application of genetically modified crops. In order to define the key actors in the GM regulation debate, their mutual influences and their goals. Based on this information, a quantitative model has been developed to determine the system of interests of different actors and the coalition(s) which develop among them around different ...

Pros and Cons of the Impact Factor in a Rapidly Changing Digital World

The purpose and novlty of the paper is to present arguments for and against the use of the Impact Factor (IF) in a rapidly changing digital world. The paper discusses the calculation of IF, as well as the pros and cons of IF. Editorial policies that affect IF are examined, and the merits of open access online publishing are presented. Scientific quality and the IF dilemma are analysed, and alternative measures of impact and quality are evaluated. The San Francisco declaration on research assessment is also discussed.

A precíziós gazdálkodás kilátásai Magyarországon

For agriculture, precision farming means the future by increasing incomes and reducing environmental loads at the same time Precision management produces a surplus in yield, revenue, result, but not immediately. The additional income potential is expected to increase by 20% to 50%. Farms mostly introduce precision farming in order to relieve workers. However, many farmers are afraid of the use of new technologies, but the use of information technology in agriculture will be unavoidable. Technology is fundamentally expensive, not even widespread, and farmers use only a few technology elements. Moreover, following the precautionary principle technology used in farming covers only a part of their agricultural land. So farms need to learn to produce more precisely than before in a knowledge-based manner.